It’s a good time to be a sports fan in Oakland. The Golden State Warriors, who play out of Oracle Arena in Oakland, have built an all-star team and will likely be NBA Championship favorites for the foreseeable future with the likes of Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green all leading the team. Then add in the fact that the Raiders are the best they’ve been in recent memory and you can see why Oakland sports fans have a lot to be happy about right now.

If the MLB is more your speed then a quick half hour jaunt across the I-80 can get you to San Francisco when you can take in a Giants ball game at AT&T Park. You also have the option to catch an NHL or MLS game down in San Jose, which is only about an hour drive. Overall, Oakland is a great spot to be a sports fan in California. Unfortunately, the State of California does not allow you to bet on any of these sports at California based Casinos. Instead you’ll need to open an account at an offline sports betting site to place your wagers.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Oakland?

It is not legal to set up a betting operation that takes wagers in the State of California.

That said, it is legal for California residents to open an online betting account at an offshore sportsbook, such as the ones I’ve outlined below. These sportsbooks are licensed outside of the United States, which allows them to safely and securely offer sports betting options to American residents.

Best Sports Betting Sites for Oakland Residents

Above are our two recommended betting sites for Oakland residents. Both Bovada and BetOnline are hugely popular across the United States and offer a safe and secure environment for Americans to wager on sports online.

Offline Sports Betting in Oakland

There is no offline sports betting allowed in California. In order to wager on sports at a brick and mortar casino you will need to venture across state lines into Nevada.

That said, the State of California does allow you to wager on horse races in Oakland. I’ve outlined a very popular horse race track very close to Oakland below.

Golden Gate Fields

Golden Gate Fields is a popular horse racing track located a quick 15 minute drive north of Oakland. The racetrack offers live racing most days of the week, and also allows you to wager on races from other top tracks across California and the United States.

***You are not able to place sports betting wagers at Golden Gate Fields. Your wagers are restricted to horse racing at all tracks across California.